From what I gather from various threads over the last few months is that it is a bad idea to buy a bike online? Since fit is perhaps the most important factor and most cannot tell if a bike will fit without being on it at a LBS should I avoid buying a bike without ever riding it? I'm just trying to tell if I can buy a used 55cm bike and be fitted to it or will I be told that I wasted my money and need a 53. (I'm 5'10" and 32" inseam) Any thoughts?
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Re: Buying a bike online [darbyglen]
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I'm faaaaaar from an expert on bikes, but I bought my tri-bike on Ebay this year honestly guessing on the size. They told me at the bike shop it was a good fit for my legs, but they needed to raise the hanlebars a bit. In my case, this was about $30. I may have been very lucky though. In my case, I'm thrilled with my bike and was able to buy a much better bike than I could from the LBS. I think the general consensus you'll get here is if you can afford it, go to the LBS. From my experience, it worked out well, but I couldn't guarantee it would every time.
Re: Buying a bike online [darbyglen]
[ In reply to ]
What are you hoping to gain from buying a bike online? The main reason to do this is to save money if you know the correct size you need and you are comfortable with mechanically evaluating a bike online and putting it together yourself when you get it. If this is your first bike ( you don't mention this but it sounds like it - otherwise I would expect you to know the top tube/seat tube/head tube lengths that would be adequate for you) you should not buy it online.
Re: Buying a bike online [darbyglen]
[ In reply to ]
If you don't know EXACTLY what you need, don't buy online. It will cost you more in the long run. That good deal will cost you quite a bit if you get the wrong sized frame. On the other hand, if you know EXACTLY what you want, buying online is not a bad way to go.
Mike
Mike
Re: Buying a bike online [darbyglen]
[ In reply to ]
Re: Buying a bike online [darbyglen]
[ In reply to ]
When I was just getting into the sport, and before we had a local Cervelo dealer, I bought a bike online from Kevin at Gear West. After it arrived, I threw it on the rack and drove 4 hours to Shreveport for a fitting with John Cobb. He watched me pedal for a while and came to the conclusion that nothing needed to be changed. Oh well, at least I got to see Shreveport.
Coach at KonaCoach Multisport
Coach at KonaCoach Multisport
Sizing is the key. If you can get a proper fit, then the savings (lower price plus no potentially no sales tax) are generally worth it.
I've only bought frames on-line before. I have a good enough relationship and do plenty of business with my LBS that I feel comfortable being up front and getting sized before ordering. They know that I do enough business with them, including having the bike built up, that it's still worth their effort. It doesn't hurt to bring in the occasional six pack.
I've only bought frames on-line before. I have a good enough relationship and do plenty of business with my LBS that I feel comfortable being up front and getting sized before ordering. They know that I do enough business with them, including having the bike built up, that it's still worth their effort. It doesn't hurt to bring in the occasional six pack.